Iris westii

A new population, found in 2006 in Mt Hermon, alt. 2020 m. in subalpine vegetation which is typical to SW Asian high mountains. This species is known only from 1 site in South Lebanon and is on the verge of extinction there. This new population had 16 clumps, one with about 130 leaf clusters. It blooms in May and later fruitset was about 15%. It is closely related to Iris hermona (from the Golan Heights), Iris bismarckiana (from N Israel and S Lebanon) and Iris basaltica (from Syria).

Dr Ori Fragman-Sapir (July 18, 2006)
Head Scientist
The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens
Giv'at-Ram, 91904
Jerusalem, Israel
 
Tel. +972-52-4472401, Fax. +972-3-5182842
 
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